SUFOG Magazine March 2007

Magazine Overview

This issue of SUFOG Magazine, dated March 2007, is published by the Southampton UFO Group and covers a wide array of topics related to the supernatural, unexplained flying saucers, ghosts, and paranormal investigations. The cover prominently features a sketch of a grey alien and lists "Inside this Issue..." including recent sightings over Hampshire, the Hampshire UFO Data Base, World and UK UFO reports, The Paranormal in SUFOG, an interview with SUFOG Chairman Steve Gerrard, and newspaper and magazine reviews.

Editors Corner

The editor expresses optimism for 2007, calling it a 'BIG' year for the group, with many projects planned. A significant event in late 2006 was a large article in the Portsmouth News about photographs taken by George. The group is looking at several new initiatives for 2007/08, including a new website, Photo I.D.s for active investigators, membership cards, new advertising strategies, the production of SUFOG Researchers and Paranormal Manuals, forming a satellite group on the Isle of Wight, and publishing a British UFO group directory in March 2007. The editor appeals for ideas for advertising and emphasizes the need for member input for the magazine, requesting stories, reports, and newspaper articles. New features for the magazine include a space for membership cards and a free Audio CD Rom or DVD with each issue starting in June. The editor highlights the value of the magazine at £15.00 a year (£1.25 a month).

Contents

The magazine's contents page lists articles covering contact information, the SUFOG Diary, Hampshire Chronicle reports, SUFOG's achievements in 2006, various UFO reports from the UK and Canada, interviews, newspaper and magazine reviews, and discussions on the paranormal.

Hampshire Chronicle Reports

1980s - UFO report (Friday, June 20, 1980): An Alresford family reported seeing a brightly burning ball of fire tracking across the sky, described as unusually bright and yellow, arcing eastwards and disappearing behind a tree. A lighting engineer by profession, the witness found it difficult to estimate the speed or distance, comparing it to a helicopter. Alresford Police were investigating, noting similarities to a previous UFO report in Abbotstone.

Waterlooville, Hampshire, England (30th July 2001): A witness observed two small, bright pinpricks of light moving fast towards a passenger aeroplane. As the plane reappeared, five lights shot out from behind a tree, stopped, and formed a 'V' formation before vanishing. The witness was unsure what they saw but stated they moved very fast and stopped like no aircraft they had ever seen.

What SUFOG achieved in 2006

This section details SUFOG's activities and media mentions throughout 2006, including contributions to UFO Monthly.Com, Rapport Magazine, Portsmouth News, The Islington Gazette, Radio Solent, and a UFO exhibition at Southampton Central Library. It highlights interviews and lectures by Ernie Sears and Roger Anderton.

UK UFO Reports (January - March 2007)

The Islington Gazette - London, England, UK (2nd February 2007) - UFO Sighting Over Islington: Dozens of mysterious orange lights were spotted hovering in the sky above Archway, causing panic. Residents described them as a "squadron" of aeroplanes but without a proper formation and moving at the same speed. The lights were silent, seemed to fade away, and then more appeared. Islington police received multiple calls. Contact International UFO Research was informed. A similar report described 12-15 orange lights moving, stopping, and then moving upwards.

Hornsey & Crouch End Journal – UK (6th February 2007) - Crowds Spooked By UFO Mystery: This article corroborates the Archway sighting, with people screaming and cars halting. Witnesses described "balls of light" moving together. The phenomenon was also seen from nearby Magdala Avenue and Highgate Hill. Some witnesses suggested they might be "sky lanterns" or "UFO balloons," but others were adamant about the unusual movement.

The Lynn News - King's Lynn, Norfolk, UK (7th February 2007) - UFO Lovelights In Lynn's Night Sky: Mysterious orange lights over Lynn sparked speculation. However, these were later identified as Chinese-style lanterns released at a wedding reception. The owner confirmed they were large, effective, and had police permission.

Times 24 - Herts, UK (7th February 2007) - 'If It Was A Plane It Was A Huge One': A former Met police officer reported seeing a UFO hovering above a hostel, describing it as a massive spacecraft with lights in a triangular formation, making no noise and shooting off at high speed. He expressed excitement at fulfilling a lifelong ambition to see a UFO.

The Islington Gazette (9th February 2007) - Archway UFO Video: You Decide: This piece refers to video footage of the Archway UFO phenomenon, inviting readers to decide on the explanation. It mentions amateur camerman John Zimmerman filming the spectacle and notes that hundreds of people witnessed it. The article also mentions that many readers reported seeing up to 50 orange lights.

The News Shopper - Watford, Hertfordshire (18th February 2007) - Police UFO Sightings Database: Detective Constable Gary Heseltine launched a database of UFO sightings by police officers, which has logged over 200 cases. Notable reports include a craft changing shape from a bell to an oval with spikes in Gravesend (1993) and a craft described as 20-30 feet above ground with dolphin-like fins in Farnborough (1978). DC Heseltine believes a small proportion of UFO sightings are genuine and represent extraterrestrial presence.

Hold The Front Page - Derby (23rd February 2007) - 'UFO Sighting' Creates Web Furore For Gazette: This article discusses the internet sensation caused by the video footage of the Archway UFO sighting, which led to a significant increase in website traffic for The Islington Gazette. It notes that many viewers believed it showed alien encounters, while others favoured the "sky lanterns" theory.

UFO Data Announcement

UFODATA Magazine announces the arrival of its new format magazine, praising the printers for their work. They encourage subscriptions via their website or by post, offering a one-year subscription for £22.00.

Group Web Site Appeal

SUFOG is seeking a group member to take on the role of web site co-ordinator, builder, and designer due to issues with the original site. The group will cover reasonable costs, and the volunteer will be able to email information.

Ernie Sears interview on the Net

SUFOG's Public Relations Officer, Ernie Sears, was interviewed for 75 minutes by two group members in America, discussing his life with the paranormal, healing, and UFOs. A link to the video interview is provided.

Radio 2: 4th February 2007

An inquiry is made about whether listeners heard an item on Radio 2 concerning UFOs and crop circles.

Many Strange Things

Julian Carson, SUFOG Director of Investigations, writes about how people often live with "blinkers on" and avoid confronting unexplained phenomena. He encourages those who have experienced something unusual to speak to SUFOG, promising a non-ridiculing, friendly, and interested conversation at their meetings held on the third Wednesday of the month at the CIU club in Southampton.

The Western Mail - Cardiff, Wales (20th February 2007) - Wales' History Of UFO Sightings

This article reviews historical UFO sightings in Wales, including a 1970s incident in Broadhaven where primary school children drew a cigar-shaped object after allegedly seeing a UFO landing and aliens. It also mentions a 2006 report by James Carlson suggesting Harrier jets might explain cigar-shaped sightings, and the Ministry of Defence's admission of investigating 28 UFO reports in Wales between 2002-2005, including sightings of a giant black object over Rhyl and flying discs over the Rhondda and Newport.

The Grantham Journal, Lincolnshire (1st March 2007) - Town UFO Report On Canadian Website

Witness reports of a 1978 UFO sighting over Grantham have been published on a Canadian website (HBCC UFO Research). The object was described as circular, red, on fire, trailing golden sparks, and moving at supersonic speeds.

The Whitby Today, Lincolnshire (2nd March 2007) - Teenager's Shock After 'UFO' Spot

An unidentified flying object with red and orange lights was seen hovering silently near Staithes by an 18-year-old. The object stayed in place for 10-20 seconds before fading away.

The Northern Echo - Darlington, County Durham (2nd March 2007) - Is It A Bird... Is It A Plane?

Newcastle International Airport has received calls reporting strange lights in the sky, which are actually the airport's new futuristic control tower under construction. The tower, when completed, will be 45 metres high.

George's Photographs of 2007

This section includes photographs taken by George on January 10th and February 5th, 2007, with captions indicating the date and time.

FREE MP3 CD ROM Next Issue

Subscribers to the SUFOG magazine will receive a free MP3 CD Rom with the June issue, containing UFO material such as radio interviews with Nick Pope and Timothy Good. Future issues will also include free DVDs or CD ROMs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, paranormal phenomena, and unexplained aerial events, primarily focusing on reports from the UK. The editorial stance, as expressed in the 'Editors Corner' and 'Many Strange Things' sections, is one of open-mindedness, encouraging discussion and investigation of these topics without ridicule. The magazine aims to keep members informed about the current situation of UFOlogy worldwide and actively seeks member contributions. There is a clear emphasis on providing a platform for sharing experiences and information within the UFO and paranormal community.

This issue of UFO UpDates, dated February 5, 2007, is a compilation of recent UFO sighting reports and related news, primarily focusing on Canadian incidents but also including international reports and discussions on government involvement with the topic. The publication aims to share news on UFOs and the paranormal.

Recent Canadian Sighting Reports

The issue begins with a collection of recent Canadian sightings compiled by Chris Rutkowski. These include:

• January 18, 2007: Over the Arctic Ocean, the pilot and crew of a United Airlines flight from Chicago to Hong Kong observed a "flaming ball" object moving from high to low, appearing to drop wreckage. The object was estimated to be at 34,000 feet.
• January 27, 2007 (Winnipeg, Manitoba): A witness watching hockey from a fourth-floor apartment saw a bright bluish-green light moving steeply from north to south. The object made no noise and vanished without any evidence of a crash.
• January 27, 2007 (Stony Mountain, Manitoba): While traveling on Highway 11, witnesses observed a bright blue object with a white/light blue tail that turned bright green before disappearing. It was estimated to be 200-300 feet away.
• January 28, 2007 (Baie-Comeau, Quebec): A UFO was observed moving slowly from town towards the north, exhibiting a mix of yellow and green colors.
• January 31, 2007 (Hibbard, Quebec): A witness reported a large, round, green object described as "as big as a house," with eight "portholes" and several lights underneath. It hovered about 500 feet above trees for 10 minutes before moving away silently. The witness's dog had been barking for about half an hour prior.
• February 4, 2007 (Hibbard, Quebec): The same witness reported seeing a similar object much lower, about 50 feet above the trees, for approximately four or five minutes.

Strange Bright Object Photographed Over Leeds UK

Steven Johnson reports on a video recorded on a camera phone of a strange bright object over Leeds, UK, on February 1, 2007. The video was sent to Russel Callaghan at UFOData Magazine and also appeared on local BBC TV news. UFOData Magazine researcher Sacha Christie also photographed the object. The object is noted to be similar to one photographed in Wales in 2003, which was initially explained as an aeroplane contrail but was seen to move across the sky.

Newspaper Reviews by Ernie Sears

Ernie Sears reviews several newspaper articles related to UFOs and the paranormal:

• The Daily Mail (December 23): Discusses a reader's question about psychic contact with aliens, noting that while scientists don't dismiss the possibility, no plausible evidence has been presented.
• The Times (January 5): Reports on 78,000 mph meteors hitting the moon, causing flashes and glowing rocks.
• The Times (January 18): Cites a Danish scientist who calculated it would take nearly 10 billion years to scan less than one percent of the galaxy for life, suggesting human contact with aliens is a long way off.
• The Daily Mail (January 19): Features an article titled "Beam me up, swans" about alien nation and a review of Andrew Collins' book "The Cygnus Incident."
• The Times (January 31): Reports that the Hubble telescope has broken down and is unlikely to be repaired.
• The Times (February 19): Mentions a Police Gazette report of 40 UFOs spotted in recent years.
• The Times (Current date): Discusses a giant magnet underground on the Swiss-French border searching for origins of matter and multi-dimensions.
• The Guardian (February 22): Reveals insights into the Ministry of Defence's (MoD) interest in UFOs through newly released documents, indicating a three-year "Project Condign" report that analyzed over 10,000 UFO sightings.

Project Condign and MoD Interest

Further details emerge about the MoD's interest in UFOs, stemming from a 1993 internal memo from Defence Intelligence (D155) highlighting the "national security implications" of investigating "strange objects in the skies." The memo suggests that if such devices are extraterrestrial, their purpose needs to be established (military reconnaissance, scientific, or tourism). Concerns were raised about Soviet technology in the late 1980s, and the MoD suspected that scientific knowledge might have come from studying UFOs or UAPs. The report suggests that Russian, former Soviet, and Chinese authorities have made coordinated efforts to understand UAP topics, with aircraft destroyed and pilots killed. One conclusion of Project Condign was that UAP events could be explained by plasmas. The initial request for a research project was shelved but revived due to a surge in UFO reports, with concerns about potential "political embarrassment" and the need to understand what the reports represent.

Nick Pope, formerly of the MoD's public UFO desk, notes that the MoD couldn't justify claims of no threat without a detailed study. The MoD stated it had released information on sightings annually and remained "open-minded" but found no evidence substantiating extraterrestrial phenomena. The French CNES archive of UFO incidents was delayed until at least March.

Other Newspaper Mentions

• The Times (February 22): Discusses exoplanets and the search for ET, mentioning 213 exoplanets discovered so far, with the most earthlike being 0GLE-2005-BLG-390Lb.
• The Times (February 26): Features an article by Caitlin Moran titled "Ouija believe it? The paranormal is pretty mundane," noting Princeton University's ESP lab closing after 30 years of research, concluding only small, statistically significant effects were found.

UFO Data Magazine and OVNI Magazine Reviews

Ernie Sears reviews two magazines:

• UFO DATA MAGAZINE (January-February issue): Described as the UK's only professionally printed UFO magazine, it features the Livingston 1979 classic encounter and other reports. The review notes the magazine's focus on evidence and investigation.
• OVNI magazine (January-February): This magazine includes reports on the Chicago O'Hare airport incident and a French space agency archive release. It also features a review of a book by Bill Foster about his abduction experience, matching the author's own experience with craft interiors and the "Roswell" craft.

Magonia Magazine Review

Sears reviews "Magonia" (January 07), which examines the historical, religious, philosophical, political, and folklore antecedents of contact and abduction phenomena. Sears notes a strained relationship with the editor, John Rimmer, over abduction experiences. The review critiques Rimmer's editorial on the Swedish UFO movement and his perceived bias.

World News & UFO Reports

• FARS News Agency (Tehran, Iran - January 16, 2007): Reports a radiant unidentified flying object observed moving southwards for an hour in Western Iran. Another incident involved an unidentified flying object crashing in the Kerman province, causing an explosion and smoke.
• The Press-Telegram (Long Beach, California, USA - January 17, 2007): Discusses rumors of strange flying objects emerging from and submerging into the ocean off the coast, suggesting an underwater UFO base. Preston Bennett reports over 40 documented sightings off Southern California since 1947.
• The Sacramento Bee (California - February 25, 2007): Details the O'Hare Airport UFO incident where pilots and mechanics witnessed a disc-shaped object hovering and then shooting upwards at incredible speed, leaving a hole in the clouds. The FAA initially attributed it to a weather phenomenon, but witnesses' accounts and taped calls suggested otherwise.

ET Has Called Earth Home?

Jaime Licauco discusses the thesis of American researcher Scott Mandelker, who posits that many people are extraterrestrials (ET) from other worlds who have migrated to Earth. These beings are described as pioneers who change events and ideas, sometimes regarded as weird but rarely ignored.

The Santiago Times, Chile (February 8, 2007)

Reports on the Tenth International Ufology Conference in Vina del Mar, where members of Chile's Armed Forces displayed photographs of UFOs. Rodrigo Fuenzalida, director of AION, highlighted the importance of military reports. Retired official Armando Valdes recounted his involvement in a documented UFO abduction case in 1977, where he vanished for 15 minutes after seeing bright objects descend.

UFOs Over Nayarit, Mexico (February 11, 2007)

Students in Ahuacatlan witnessed a group of spherical objects flying towards the El Ceboruco volcano.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the reporting of recent UFO sightings from various locations, the analysis of these sightings by researchers and organizations, and the examination of government and military interest in UFO phenomena. There is a consistent effort to present witness testimonies, photographic and video evidence, and to critically review official explanations. The publication appears to support the idea that UFOs are a real phenomenon worthy of investigation, often highlighting cases where official explanations seem inadequate or where there are suggestions of secrecy or cover-ups. The editorial stance leans towards acknowledging the mystery and potential significance of UFOs, encouraging further research and public disclosure.

This issue of UFO Magazine, dated March 2007 (Volume 22, No. 1), delves into a variety of UFO and paranormal phenomena, with a particular focus on UK-based reports and investigations. The cover story, "UFO's Over Hampshire... (SUFOG CATALOGUE) (Part 4)", highlights a catalogue of sightings in the Andover area. The magazine features contributions from various researchers and enthusiasts, including Steve Gerrard, Chris Rolfe, Dwain Walden, Nick Pope, and Ernie Sears.

UFO Landing and Humanoids in Poland

The issue begins with an excerpt from a report by crop circle investigator Nancy Talbott concerning an alleged UFO landing and interview with a witness in Poland. Lech Chacinski, a truck driver from Wierzchowo, reported encountering three figures in what appeared to be astronaut space-suits on the road near Szczecinek on August 11, 2003. The figures were arranged in a triangular configuration, with the lead figure raising a hand in greeting. As they approached, Chacinski realized their appearance was "extraordinary."

UFO Sighting over Southampton!!!

This section details a UFO sighting reported on February 21st, 2007, in Sholing, Southampton. The report, submitted via the UFOINFO Sighting Form, describes a square object with many lights that hovered, changed direction, and then sped off. Additionally, a pink/red sphere was seen hovering above the M27 before disappearing.

Evan Morgan Talked to... Steven Gerrard

This article features an interview with Steven Gerrard, founder of the Southampton UFO Group (SUFOG), based in Woolston. Gerrard, who has been interested in UFOs since age 15 after reading a book by George Adamski, established SUFOG in 1990. The group has since investigated numerous reports and photographs. Gerrard notes that many photos are easily faked and that his background in police support work has honed his investigative skills. He explains the process of investigating a sighting, including consulting meteorological data and airport information. The article mentions sightings in the Woolston and Sholing areas, including a mysterious light at Weston Shore and a cylindrical object seen over Portsmouth. Gerrard estimates that 96% of sightings are explainable, but the remaining 4% are of great interest, leading him to believe "we're not alone in the universe."

F-15s And Possible UFO Encounter

Chris Rolfe reports on an incident on January 12th, 2007, where London Military Air Traffic Control contacted a flight of US Air Force F-15s from RAF Lakenheath to intercept an unknown radar target. The F-15s, call sign Gator, made two passes at the target, described as black, not a bird, and unlike any aircraft they had seen. An audio file of the air-to-air communications is being analyzed by UFO Monitors East Kent and UFO Data Magazine.

A Vintage UFO Case... The Frederick Velentich Real UFO Story

This section recounts the disappearance of pilot Frederick Valentich on October 21st, 1978. During a routine flight, Valentich reported a large aircraft with four lights travelling at high speed above him. He described it as a "long shape" with a "green light," "metallic," and "shiny all over," and that it seemed to be "playing some sort of game." His radio link was lost after he reported the object "vanished" and was approaching him. Unidentifiable "metallic, scraping sounds" were heard before the signal was lost.

UFO's Over Hampshire... (SUFOG CATALOGUE) (Part 4)

This is a catalogue of UFO sightings in the Andover, UK area, including:

• November 25th, 1993: Three slow-moving white lights in a triangular formation.
• August 2nd, 1994: A grey, cigar-shaped object with no visible markings, stationary for 4-5 minutes.
• February 28th, 2000: A disk with flashing red and green lights, which ascended rapidly after being approached by an aircraft.
• June 24th, 2001: An oblong-like object, 45m long and 20m wide, with a red/orange neon colour underneath.
• September 12th, 2004: Three flying triangles with rapidly flashing red and white lights.
• September 26th, 2004: A "soap bubble" between cloud layers, with two black dots heading towards Andover.

UFO Directory of British UFO Groups

This section discusses the state of British UFOlogy, noting that out of 96 contacted groups, only 23 are still functioning. The editor expresses concern that British UFOlogy is "all but dead" and appeals for support from readers and other organizations to keep it alive. It mentions the closure of the Staffordshire UFO Group.

Paraquest Paranormal Conference 2007

Details are provided for the third annual Paraquest Paranormal Conference on April 28th, 2007, in Sale, Greater Manchester. Speakers include Alan Murdie, Clint Denyer, Ian Morison, and Dr. Jackie Jones-Hunt, covering topics such as paranormal phenomena, Ufology, and ancient civilizations.

The University of Life Conference

Information is given for the 12th annual Spring Conference on "Unexplained Mysteries" on April 15th, 2007, in Dorchester, Dorset. Topics include Crop Circles, UFO's, Spiritual, Government conspiracies, and hidden knowledge, with speakers like Philip Coppens and Craig Murray.

The Paranormal Has Arrived In SUFOG...

This section details a case of alleged Chupacabra activity in Tulancingo, Mexico, on December 10th, 2006. Seven sheep were found with brutal injuries, one with a six-centimeter hole in its side. The article notes that similar incidents involving sheep and other animals have occurred previously. The director of public safety, Luis Alvarado Mayorga, stated that the injuries were unusual, and the owner, Jose Isabel Islas, fears the animals may be infected.

Chupacabras Spotted In Chile: Alien UFO Escapees Or Myth?

Reporting from Santiago, Chile, this article discusses recent Chupacabra sightings that have gained mainstream media attention. The creature, known for sucking animal blood, is speculated by some enthusiasts to be extraterrestrial. The article mentions an attack on a henhouse in San Antonio and another sighting in Curicó, with descriptions of the creature and its footprints.

On Egyptian Mysteries And UFOs

Dwain Walden discusses the prevalence of UFO reports and the difficulty in obtaining clear photographic evidence. He references a Discovery Channel documentary that explored ancient Egyptian drawings resembling helicopters and submarines, posing the question of whether Earth was visited by extraterrestrials in ancient times.

The Paranormal... Ernie Sears

Ernie Sears contributes a piece detailing paranormal experiences, including alleged spirit forms at BBC Radio Cornwall, paranormal happenings at Worden Arts Centre in Lancashire, and investigations into haunted manors by the PARANORMMAL Investigation Group Sussex. He also recounts personal experiences of "seeing is believing" regarding spirits and "abductions," and discusses the concept of life after death and the possibility of other dimensions.

THE UFO EVIDENCE

This section reviews a 1997 publication by Richard H. Hall, "THE UFO EVIDENCE," which details numerous anomalies and cases of intelligent control, inquisitiveness, and reaction from UFOs worldwide between 1958 and 1962. The review highlights the continued skepticism from science and government, and the difficulty in addressing the issue.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO sightings, alleged encounters with humanoids, and paranormal phenomena. There is a strong emphasis on investigation and reporting of cases, often from the UK. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness towards the subject matter, encouraging readers to consider possibilities beyond conventional explanations, while also acknowledging the prevalence of hoaxes and the need for critical analysis. The magazine also expresses concern about the decline of UFO groups in the UK and advocates for collective effort to preserve the field of British UFOlogy.